Topic Contents

Describes a test you can do at home that will show how well you're brushing and flossing your teeth. Covers over-the-counter products that can be used to identify plaque. Covers how to do the self-exam and what results mean.

Self-Examination for Dental Plaque

Test Overview

A self-examination for
dental plaque is done using a product that stains the
plaque on your teeth. Dental plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that sticks to
your teeth, the spaces between the teeth, and under your gums. It can harden
into tartar. The stain lets you to see how well you are brushing and flossing
your teeth.

Plaque is made of different germs (bacteria) that grow
on teeth. These bacteria react with sugars and starches in foods to make acids
and other substances that can cause problems and damage the teeth, gums, and
bone. Acids can eat away at tooth enamel by removing minerals from the enamel
(this is called demineralization).

These products stain plaque that was missed
when you brushed and flossed along your gum lines and between your teeth. Good
brushing and flossing breaks up the plaque and does not let the bacteria and
acid cause problems.

Why It Is Done

Plaque forms on the teeth every day
and needs to be removed. It sticks to grooves and biting surfaces of the back
teeth, between the teeth, and next to the gum line.

Checking for
dental plaque helps you take better care of your teeth and mouth.

How To Prepare

Small dental mirror to check
hard-to-see areas of your mouth. (A mirror is helpful but not required.)

Dental mirrors and disclosing tablets, solution, and swabs
can be bought from most dentists and pharmacies.

How It Is Done

You will brush and floss your teeth.
Then you will use the disclosing product. Follow the instructions on the
package. Gently rinse your mouth with water. Check your teeth for plaque that
has been colored with the dye. Your gums also may be stained and appear red,
but this is not a problem. Use a dental mirror, if you have one, to help see
behind teeth and the areas in the back of your mouth. If you find stained
plaque, brush and floss again until it is gone. This helps you find areas you
are missing.

Disclosing tablets

Chew a disclosing tablet and
allow it to mix with your saliva. Swish the mixture around in your mouth with
your tongue for about 30 seconds and then spit it out.

Disclosing solution

Put some disclosing solution
in your mouth, swish it around for about 30 seconds, and then spit the solution
out.

Disclosing swabs

Apply the swab to all tooth
surfaces in your mouth.

Use these products regularly until you find no more
areas of stained plaque after you brush and floss. You may want to test for
plaque once a month to be sure you are getting rid of the plaque.

How It Feels

Disclosing tablets and disclosing
solution do not cause any discomfort. These products may be flavored to make
them more pleasant-tasting.

Risks

After you use the disclosing tablets, your mouth
and tongue may be temporarily stained for as long as a day with a harmless dye.
Many people use the disclosing tablets at bedtime so that the stain left in
their mouths can fade overnight.

Some disclosing tablets make a
bright red stain, which can stain clothing.

Be sure to read the
package instructions. Some disclosing products have dyes that people may be
allergic to.

Results

A self-examination for
dental plaque is done using a product that stains the
plaque on your teeth. This lets you see how well you are brushing and
flossing your teeth. If you see that the dye has stained plaque in your mouth
along gum lines and between teeth, you can brush and floss more carefully. Try
brushing again to remove the plaque.

What Affects the Test

There are no reasons why you
cannot do this test unless you are
allergic to the dyes used in these disclosing
products. Check the ingredient list if you are allergic to some dyes.

What To Think About

The dental mirror may fog up while
it is in your mouth. It may help to run it under warm water before using
it.

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